Our Trip to Sibiu - Romania

We thoroughly enjoyed visiting Sibiu, one of the most interesting and beautiful cities in Romania. Besides being accessible by car, it can also be reached by train. Sibiu has been a prominent city not only in Transylvania but also throughout Romania for many centuries, holding a significant place in the country's history.

The first book in the Romanian language was printed here, and the first Romanian hospital in history was established here. The first museum in Romania also originated here. Additionally, the first Romanian bank was opened here, and the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese was established here. Overall, Sibiu has strived to be a pioneer in every field, leaving its mark on the beautiful cityscape. While it may have lost its social leadership in modern times, it remains one of the leading cultural centers. At one point, it was selected as the European Capital of Culture.

After a brief introduction, it's time to get acquainted with the cultural capital of Romania. Sibiu isn't exactly considered a Romanian city; it has another name - Hermannstadt, meaning the German city. This isn't just a popular name; before World War II, Sibiu was the center of Transylvania, founded by the Saxons. Even now, German is partly spoken in the city, and menus are often presented in two languages.

If you haven't visited Sibiu in a while, I highly recommend stopping by. Head towards the center and the old town, where the heart of the city lies in the large square called Piate Mare. In ancient times, this was the center of political life, where public fairs and even executions took place. During the socialist era, the square was turned into a park but later restored to its historical appearance, now featuring a large empty rectangular space with an old fountain at its center. On normal days, it's not too crowded, offering opportunities to feed pigeons and admire the old buildings. During festivals and celebrations, the square takes on a completely different atmosphere.

The square boasts several cafes, the local City Hall, the beautiful Holy Trinity Church, and the Tower from which you can have a panoramic view of the city. The most striking point in the square is the Palace of the Transylvanian Governor, with a monument in front of it. There's an art museum here, with an entrance fee. The Brukenthal Art Museum first opened its doors in 1817, displaying 1,090 paintings from the Baron's personal collection. Here's a secret for you - you can see masterpieces by Brueghel, Rubens, and Titian publicly and without the tourist crowds! It's one of the largest museums in Eastern Europe, consisting of four separate buildings, with the backyard being a place where torture and executions once took place. The ambiance is quite atmospheric. Anyway, I had to restrain my admiration for the paintings a bit and get back to exploring the city.

The City Hall walls immediately behind lead to another interesting square: Piazza Mika. You can reach there by passing through brick arches or from the base of the Catholic Church's bell tower. There's less empty space now, but more cafes and shops. And here, there's a small horizontal bridge known as the "Bridge of Liars." The origin of this name isn't exactly remembered. According to one legend, if someone tells a lie on this bridge, it will collapse, so brides often lure their suitors here to pledge their loyalty. Well, considering this fact, it's clear that the bridge has stood strong for almost 200 years: Sibiu husbands are the most honest husbands in the world then :)

Sibiu's old town sits atop a hill, forming two levels. The Upper Town, where the wealthy bourgeoisie resided, and the Lower Town, which begins just from the Small Square. The Lower Town was formerly inhabited by the poor residents of Sibiu. And now, it's a place of old two-story houses. While some have been restored, they mostly have old rotten wooden doors and worn-out windows. I think this doesn't spoil the appearance of Sibiu but rather accentuates the authentic look of its old neighborhoods.

As we cross the bridge and walk towards the other side of the Small Square, the path leads us to the city's most beautiful building - the Cathedral of Saint Mary. This is an incredible Gothic structure, standing at 73 meters high and also climbable. So, I recommend visiting it if you're in the area.

There's an interesting story about the construction of this bell tower. During the construction of the cathedral, it was necessary to erect the tallest bell tower in Transylvania. The fiercest rival at the time was in the city of Bistrița. However, nobody knew the exact size of the tower there. Two spies were sent to measure the tower. The workers successfully completed the task, measured the tower, and went to a bar to celebrate. Alcohol loosened their tongues, and the poor men told the locals about the situation, and the locals cut a piece of string without anyone noticing. As a result, the bell tower is now 2 meters shorter than its rival. It goes up to 75 meters, while Bystrica's reaches 75.

I confess. I didn't think of this city as a suitable place for tourist visits before. I didn't know how attractive it was. Sibiu is filled with the magical spirit of the Middle Ages! It's like being on a movie set. Those old stone walls, small windows, massive gates, edges on the roofs... And all surrounded by hills and winding narrow streets. The fairytale atmosphere here isn't even disrupted by the advertising signs of local venues. Unlike Dubrovnik, there's almost no advertising here, just neatly designed antique-style signs. There are no striking LED billboards, banners, or colorful stalls. Everything is designed to match the historical style of the city. It was a lovely trip, as you can understand. If you happen to be around, I definitely recommend visiting here.